To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what plans he has to increase the representation of parents on school organisation committees; and if he will make a statement. (150690)

School Organisation Committees were abolished by section 29 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 which came into force on 25 May 2007.

Under new decision-making arrangements introduced from this date, decisions on statutory proposals to make changes to local school organisation are normally decided by local authorities, except for proposals for a new school where the local authority is the proposer or has a role in the trust of a proposed trust school. Such new school proposals are decided by the schools adjudicator. Other proposals may be decided by the schools adjudicator if the local authority fails to decide proposals within two months or following an appeal by the bodies for which there is explicit provision in the relevant legislation. Statutory guidance to local authorities and the schools adjudicator makes clear that they should have regard to the views of parents when considering proposals.